A Checklist of Butterflies in Karulai, Malappuram District, Kerala, India
Vijithra. A
PG & Research Department of Zoology, Sree Neelakanta Government Sanskrit College, Pattambi, Palakkad, Pin- 679306, Kerala, India.
Zeena. K.V *
Sree Neelakanta Government Sanskrit College, Pattambi, Palakkad, Pin- 679306, Kerala, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study provides a checklist of butterflies from Karulai, Malappuram District, Kerala. The study was conducted over a period of one year, from August 2020 to July 2021. A total of 76 butterfly species belonging to five families and 13 subfamilies were recorded. The family Nymphalidae was the most dominant, followed by Lycaenidae, Papilionidae, Hesperiidae, and Pieridae. The butterfly diversity and abundance of host plants in the study area highlight its importance for protection and conservation. The quality and availability of host plants play a crucial role in affecting an organism's growth, development, and reproduction.
Keywords: Butterflies, Karulai, lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, conservation